He did so as a seventh-round draft pick in 2006 who lasted 12 seasons in the NFL and made almost 100 starts as a New Orleans Saints offensive tackle.

Strief, who retired in March, was given his next challenge Wednesday (July 25) when he was officially named the Saints' new radio play-by-play announcer despite having virtually no broadcast experience.

WWL-AM announced the news.

He's replacing the legendary Jim Henderson, who served as "Voice of the Saints" for 32 seasons before retiring Feb. 1.

It's not unusual when a player moves from the playing field to the broadcast booth as an analyst. But it's extremely rare to retire and instantly become a play-by-play announcer without years of training and experience.

Strief received a bachelor's degree in communication from Northwestern University. He has intermittently served as a guest host at WWL-AM since his retirement and had a role in the station's NFL Draft coverage in May.

Strief's natural gift of gab was obvious through the years to the New Orleans media who covered him. His entertaining 45-minute retirement press conference March 12 also was an indication of how easily he connects with an audience.

Earlier this week when Strief spoke at a check presentation of $15,000 to the West St. Tammany YMCA on behalf of the Saints and Chevron, he revealed his preparation in pursuing the coveted Saints play-by-play broadcast seat next to analyst and former Saints running back Deuce McAllister.

Strief said he had called possibly 100 practice games, as well as sought feedback by sending his recordings to several radio professionals. As part of his job audition with WWL-AM and Entercom Communications, he called some practice games with McAllister.

"Obviously it's a difficult job," Strief said. "I have a ton of respect for people that do it. You very quickly become enamored with a few guys that you listen to and you say, 'Oh, man, they are so good.' It's something that I would certainly have to grow into. It's also a job that I think is very special and that would be very exciting to do that kind of work."

The other finalists for Henderson's vacant microphone were former WWL-TV anchor Mike Hoss and New Orleans Pelicans play-by-play announcers Sean Kelley (radio) and Joel Meyers (TV).

Last season, there were just three former players serving as radio play-by-play announcers for NFL teams. None of them immediately became a play-by-play voice upon retirement, which is contrary to the 34-year-old Strief's fast-track route.

Former Miami Dolphins receiver Jimmy Cefalo, 61, worked in various major network broadcasting capacities, but waited 18 years before becoming the Dolphins' play-by-play announcer in 2002.

Dave Logan, 64, a former receiver with the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos, has been "Voice of the Broncos" for 22 seasons after serving five years as color analyst.

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Raible, 64, just finished his 14th season as the Seahawks' play-by-play announcer after he was color analyst for 22 seasons.

"Opportunities like that don't come up very often," Strief said before he was officially hired by WWL. "We'll see what happens. It would be amazing."